PROPERTIES FACING RATE RECOVERY ACTION IN SOMERSET
Somerset Regional Council (SRC) has issued 27 notices of intention to sell land for overdue rates or charges to recover about $220,000 in overdue rates.
Audit Committee member and Deputy Mayor Helen Brieschke said debt recovery was a basic business practice.
“While we would prefer not to go down this path, paying rates is not optional,” Cr Brieschke said.
“The sale of land process provides for a minimum of three months for the overdue rates to be paid in full and we will do our best to work with the relevant property owners and their mortgagees to try and collect the rates owing to try and avoid the next step.
“We have deliberately avoided incurring legal costs that would otherwise be recoverable from the landowners by producing the initial 27 legal notices in-house.
“Our understanding is that not all councils do this.
“We all need to pay rates regardless of where we live.
“Our rates pay for vital services including road maintenance, parks, library services, street lighting, kerbside rubbish services and more.”
The notices of intention to sell land have been issued to the owners of properties located throughout Somerset including Atkinsons Dam, Biarra, Braemore, Brightview, Buaraba, Coominya, Fernvale, Kilcoy, Lowood, Mount Tarampa, Prenzlau, Rifle Range, Sheep Station Creek, Somerset Dam, Vernor and Villeneuve.
MULTICULTURAL CARNIVAL A HUGE DRAWCARD
The second annual Kilcoy Multicultural Carnival held on Friday, 17 May was a huge success.
About 1200 people attended the cultural celebration in Yowie Park.
SRC Mayor Jason Wendt said the carnival was a vibrant celebration of diversity, featuring cultural acts and demonstrations.
“It was a fantastic opportunity for residents, and visitors to Somerset, to immerse themselves in a variety of cultures and celebrate our diversity as a region,” Cr Wendt said.
“Performers and cultural groups were represented from Fiji, Vanuatu, the Philippines, East Timor and Papua New Guinea, Africa, our local indigenous dance troupe, Jinibara and more.
“It was a fantastic free event for our community to come together and enjoy.”
The Kilcoy Multicultural Carnival was proudly funded by the Queensland Government, Sponsored by Kilcoy Global Foods and organised by SRC.
SOMERSET COUNCIL MEETING
The next SRC ordinary meeting will be held in Esk on Wednesday, 29 May.
The meeting will start at 9am and be held in the Simeon Lord Room at the Esk Library.
Community members are welcome to attend meetings and are encouraged to provide at least 24 hours’ notice of attendance via email to mail@somerset.qld.gov.au or by phoning council on 5424 4000.
Audio from council meetings are streamed live onto council’s corporate facebook page, increasing the opportunity for the public to be informed of decision making.
